The sun tilted westward, bathing everything in a warm red glow.
In the West Courtyard of the village, a tiny figure, barely two feet tall, stood beside a patch of sand, holding a half-foot-long wooden stick, carefully drawing something.
After filling the space, he gently erased it with his hands and feet, then started again.
Draw, erase, redraw… the process repeated endlessly.
Qin Xu lay on the soft couch under the eaves, sipping tea, his gaze fixed on the little figure in the sand. He appeared lost in thought, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes, as if recalling something long past.
"Cough… cough…"
A sudden fit of coughing broke Qin Xu from his reverie. Hearing it, Elder Huang hurried over and fed him a medicinal pill.
After swallowing it, Qin Xu immediately felt much better. He paused briefly, then looked at the descending sun and said to Qin Yi:
"Da Tou, alright, let's stop here for today. Time for dinner."
Hearing Qin Xu's instruction, Qin Yi finally put down the stick.
Opening his game panel, he saw that his "Language LV2," which had previously stopped progressing after reaching perfection, had indeed leveled up to LV3. Overjoyed, he jumped with excitement.
Qin Yi bounced over to the tea table. When Elder Huang placed the magical herbal tea before him, he lifted the cup with practiced ease and sipped carefully.
"Ah—ah~! So refreshing!"
He felt the warm flow surging through him from the tea and the recent level-up. The sensation was utterly delightful.
Qin Xu watched as Da Tou, after a full day of learning what would normally take four days, still seemed full of energy and joy.
Not only did he bounce along cheerfully, but even drinking the nourishing tea brought an even greater smile than that morning. Qin Xu shook his head, smiling.
"Just learning to read and write, and he's this happy?"
"Of course! I'm currently the only child in the village who can read," Qin Yi replied proudly, tilting his head back.
But then, as if recalling something, his expression shifted, and a hint of gloom replaced his pride.
"Alas… I can only show off in front of the Young Master."
Qin Xu raised an eyebrow at Da Tou's mix of pride and disappointment:
"Oh? Why is that?"
Qin Yi looked up, eyes full of confusion.
"Isn't it forbidden to tell anyone about the Young Master?"
Hearing this, Qin Xu knew it was Elder Huang's arrangement. He glanced at Elder Huang, then shook his head slightly, lost in thought. His voice became distant:
"Don't worry. Those who want to know will naturally find out. Those who don't, it won't matter if they learn from you."
After a brief pause, he focused on Da Tou's large, attentive eyes and spoke with a lighter tone:
"So if you want to show off, go ahead. Otherwise, what's the point of hiding your talents? Right?"
Qin Yi blinked and asked excitedly:
"Really?"
He then turned to Elder Huang for confirmation:
"Really?"
Elder Huang gave a helpless glance at Qin Xu before nodding slightly to Qin Yi.
Receiving the confirmation, Qin Yi cheered and jumped up:
"Awesome! I'll show off when I go home, they'll be so jealous!"
Qin Xu chuckled, shaking his head:
"Alright, class is over. I won't stop you from showing off."
"Young Master, see you tomorrow," Qin Yi said respectfully, bowing before leaving.
As usual, Elder Huang led Qin Yi out. Turning past the windbreak wall, Qin Yi spoke:
"Grandpa Huang, don't worry. I know what I can say and what I can't."
After a respectful bow, he ran off.
Elder Huang paused, watching Da Tou's back, and shook his head with a smile:
"This little rascal…"
Returning inside, Elder Huang recounted the scene to Qin Xu.
Qin Xu wasn't surprised:
"Given his talent, this is perfectly normal."
After a day of teaching, no one understood better than Qin Xu just how extraordinary Da Tou's aptitude truly was.
Elder Huang nodded in agreement. As an observer, he could see firsthand Da Tou's exceptional memory, comprehension, and logical reasoning—all top-tier for his age.
And Da Tou was still so young.
Truly a prodigy.
Even more astonishing that he came from such a remote place.
With this innate talent, strong constitution, and the Young Master's guidance and resources, Elder Huang could envision the brilliance Qin Yi would radiate in the future.
Yet…
"Young Master, even if you aren't afraid of information leaking, isn't it risky for Da Tou to show off like this?"
Could it cultivate arrogance?
Qin Xu reclined comfortably, eyes closed, and slowly said:
"A warrior needs honor. Honor is the best soil for cultivating martial will. Da Tou needs to start nurturing this honor now."
Honor is the soil of martial will—Elder Huang finally understood.
But…
"Isn't it too early for this?"
Qin Xu opened his eyes, gazing at the slowly descending sun:
"No, it's not early at all."
Elder Huang nodded thoughtfully.
…
Qin Yi happily entered the courtyard and saw three small figures in the corner.
Chuanzi and Zhuzi were playing in the mud, while Wang Gensheng sat timidly nearby, holding a chessboard-like object and watching them.
"Gensheng? You're here?" Qin Yi called out with joy.
Upon hearing Da Tou, Gensheng jumped up, turned to him, and his face lit up with a radiant smile. Holding the movable foundation tightly in one hand, he waved the other:
"Da Tou, Da Tou! The movable foundation is done! Look!"
Qin Yi paused, a twinge of disappointment flashing in his eyes.
Without him participating, he couldn't improve his skill proficiency.
Still, seeing Gensheng bring it over specifically to show him made him happy.
"Let me see it."
They met in the center of the courtyard. Gensheng carefully placed the foundation on the ground and proudly said:
"Look, this is the movable foundation we designed together. I finished it."
Qin Yi crouched down, examining it for a moment, then picked it up with both hands to inspect it from other angles.
So many flaws.
Many of the ropes were tied loosely, some were excessive and untreated, making it look sloppy.
The gaps between the sticks were uneven, and each stick had a slight natural curve that Gensheng hadn't accounted for…
The entire foundation appeared irregular, uneven, and lacking aesthetic appeal.
Yet…
"You made this by yourself? It's amazing! Gensheng, you're incredible!" Qin Yi exaggeratedly praised him, though inwardly he knew the flaws.
Children needed encouragement, especially a sensible child like Wang Gensheng.
(End of Chapter 26)